Crores spent on backward regions, but nothing to show, says MR Seetharam

Bengaluru: In a candid admission, Minister for Planning, Statistics, Science and Technology M. R. Seetharam on Tuesday conceded that the government had achieved little in developing backward and most backward taluks of the state despite spending around Rs 24,000 crore on projects targeting them for nearly a decade.

Speaking to reporters here, he said based on the recommendations of the D.M. Nanjundappa Committee the government was spending an average of Rs 3,000 crore every year for the last eight years on developing 134 backward and most backward taluks, but there was no visible change on the ground in these parts despite this. The money was not being utilised properly for development of these taluks, he admitted.

“Not even one per cent of development has taken place in these taluks during the last eight years despite the money allocated. No one knows where the funds have gone. The money was supposedly utilised to promote the Information Technology sector when there was no IT there and on infrastructure development when there was nothing there. The government has now decided to streamline the entire system. I have held two or three meetings with the legislators from backward and most backward taluks on the issue and it has been decided to focus on eight core areas, including education, health, drinking water and roads,” he added.

Referring to shortage of water in the reservoirs, Mr Seetharam said the government would wait for another week before deciding to release water through the canals for irrigation.

“Going by the weather forecast we could receive more rain next week. If the reservoirs receive enough water, we may decide to release water for irrigation as demanded by the farmers,” the minister said.